Though she owns 17 apartments and has the net worth of a millionaire, Yu insists on waking up every morning at 3 AM to work a job that pays a meager 1,420 yuan (~$230) a month.

Yu, who has become something of a celebrity in her homeland, told local reporters that she was motivated after witnessing many of her fellow former landowners squander their earnings on gambling and drugs.

"I want to set an example for my son and daughter, a person can't just sit at home and ‘eat away' a whole fortune," said Yu.

Whether they want to or not, her kids are falling in line: Yu's son is currently employed as a driver and earning just over 2,000 yuan (~$320) a month, while her daughter is an office worker with a 3,000 yuan-a-month (~$480) salary.